Pages

New Collection at Maison Cote de Texas

Everyone who reads Cote de Texas knows how much I admire Houston interior designer Carol Glasser. As I pointed out to you a few weeks ago, her advertisement alone says it all: the gorgeous painted antique console, the gilt mirror, the blue and white, the wonderful celadon wallpaper, the lone altar stick with its gold taper. Glasser is a meticulous designer, she hand picks every item, nothing comes easily from a catalogue or a showroom. Instead she searches out the perfect item and doesn’t let time rush her – her clients may wait for Glasser to make her final choice, but, the wait is worth it, no doubt.

The designer Carol Glasser, featured in a no longer published local magazine, stands on the stairs of her former house. To read more about her and her “One Perfect House,” please go HERE.

Over the years Glasser’s style has had a large influence on mine. She was and remains someone whose style and taste I admire greatly. With each magazine article about her “One Perfect House” – I would hungrily study every detail and see how I could incorporate her look into my own house – mostly very unsuccessfully, I can assure you. Without a doubt, the greatest impact Glasser made on me, and legions of other rabid fans throughout the United States, was with her 10’ long Welsh dresser, laden with a huge and gorgeous collection of blue and white transferware. Through a friend, who was also her client, I had heard about the collection but hadn’t seen it – until this photo above was published. No picture that I can recall ever affected my decorating quite as much, and so, almost 18 years ago, I began my own collection of blue and white transferware – to emulate this. Of course, I didn’t have the 10’ long Welsh dresser, nor the wall space for one either. But I did manage to purchase a small French china cabinet at Joyce Horn, from whom I have bought many of the antiques in my house.

Another magazine photoshoot with basically the same styling of the Welsh dresser. Notice all the white ironstone mixed in with the blue and white transferware.

The Veranda Photoshoot – Quite a Change!

But as soon I as tried to copy Glasser, she changed. For the next magazine photoshoot (Veranda) Glasser showed her dresser looking very different – the masses of transferware dinner plates were gone, replaced with faience and delft and other pottery. The ironstone was regulated to the bottom ledge and only the transferware platters remained. Well, you know I didn’t like THIS as much – and just ignored her changes, continuing to grow my own collection – inspired by her original one! I was more true to Glasser than she was to herself! In truth, who knows what her dresser really looked like. It’s quite possible that all the other pottery was just borrowed for the photoshoot to change it up – after all it had already been seen twice, wouldn’t three times - styled the same way - be too much? It may just be that right after the photoshoot – the dresser went back to all ironstone and transferware – I don’t know but I have my suspicions, as all the delft and faience was never seen again.

And even later, when Glasser’s house appeared in a recent book – the family room had changed yet again: toile curtains replaced the checks, chairs replaced the wicker, and French yelloware replaced the delft and faience brought in for the Veranda shoot.

Finally, one last time, before Glasser sold her house and moved, the Welsh dresser appeared in yet another book, again heavily accessorized with yelloware and ironstone and just bits of transferware. I have a feeling that this is how it truly looked – that this wasn’t staged for the photoshoot. This styling reflects a more natural evolution of the dresser over a 15 year span – from all transferware to a more relaxed mixture of rustic French and English stoneware. Here too, all new furniture appeared, most likely her own, again. This family room is so casual, welcoming, cozy and inviting – everything a family room should be. Soon after this photo – the house was sold, painted white, and furnished in creams, taupes, and whites – any remaining traces of Glasser were erased in a large remodeling. But where does this leave me with all my blue and white?

Boy, this sure doesn’t compare to Glasser’s , does it? I’m brave to show this!!!! My dresser and collection is quite small next to hers, but I’ve been happy with the way it looked for years. I purchased the china cabinet right after we moved in our house over 15 years ago. It’s lasted through many changes: where once there was a muted Bennison table cloth, there is now a yellow silk plaid one. Where there were no curtains, now silk ticking hangs over the French doors. Seagrass covers the wood floors that for years were bare, and French chairs replaced an assortment of other sets that have come and gone.

I hung a set of brown and white plates to make the small dresser appear wider.

Extra blue and white transferware platters moved to the kitchen with the white ironstone.

But, in truth, I was getting tired of the blue and white plates and wanted a change. I slowly started collecting something new to put in the breakfront. Here, for a Tablescape Tuesday I debuted my new obsession – I set the table with newly purchased creamware.

I had slowly started buying creamware on Ebay. And this time, it was not Carol Glasser that inspired me, but Dan Carithers.

Part of Dan Carither’s Creamware Collection

Atlanta interior designer Dan Carithers owns the most beautiful collection of creamware or Queensware – first developed by Josiah Wedgewood in the early 1760s. Creamware is not porcelain, rather it is pottery or earthenware with a glaze. At the time, this new cream-colored pottery was the lightest of glazes available and Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, was a great admirer of it. Wedgewood had partners along with way, and he was very successful with creamware – he died a wealthy man due to the overwhelming popularity of his light colored dishes. Though the years, there have been different factories that produced creamware and it is still in production today - made in exactly the same manner, using the same molds. Creamware can be plain or highly decorated: pierced, scalloped and reticulated are its trademarks. Some versions come in additional colors that highlight the edges and scallops. Carither’s collection is quite fine and worth a small fortune. Collecting creamware can be pricey if you are picky. I am not so picky! I like the look of it and realize that in order to get the look, I can’t afford to be so discriminate. I am more than willing to settle for a newer piece with some age – than go into debt to buy the original.

A close up of Carithers’ fantastic creamware collection.

Here, in a house designed by Carithers, he used creamware plates on a wall – his designs frequently incorporate the light dishes. On a pedestal he layered a basket under a platter and added a smaller one above. Over the years, I have admired Carithers creamware collection greatly, but the thought of my starting over with a new collection was overwhelming.

A few years ago, this client of mine was also inspired by Dan Carithers to begin a creamware collection. She and her husband are very particular about the quality they acquire – and it shows. They have purchased wonderful pieces of great beauty - you can see in these plates the fine reticulated border – a sign of good creamware. They buy their pieces at antique shows – not Ebay – and have developed relationships with several vendors who specialize in the light color wares.

Here a creamware plate rests next to a French barometer, which is on my bucket list! These clients have spread their collection throughout the public areas of their house. The creamware mixes so beautifully with their decor – which is done in shades of creams and light golds. The walls are a softly painted creamy yellow with all trim work done in light gray. These colors are all so soothing and calm.

My clients placed many of their creamware pieces on the buffet in their dining room. You can see their pieces are all different – pierced, reticulated, and scalloped. As their collection grew, I grew greener with envy! I so wanted to change out the blue and white transferware – I even considered just putting up my white wedding dishes on the shelves!

My hero, John Saladino, collects creamware too – here at Villa Dilemma, he puts the plates up high. At the end of one axis, he uses an oversized creamware platter on a counter as a focal point.

And finally, another large influence on me was the movie Something’s Gotta Give. Though this collection is a mixture of ironstone and creamware – new pieces, vintage and antique ones – this was the look I wanted in my dining room, soft with no strong contrasts, in shades of creams, yellows and gold. Where to start????

This past year, I decided to just check out Ebay and see what was available, how the quality was, what the prices were. Much to my surprise – I found there were a few creamware pieces at very reasonable prices. Jackpot! I slowly began bidding on pieces and won a few. Some I purchased outright on the Buy It Now program. In the beginning, I placed my tiny collection on a small desk, but it started getting crowded and recently I realized that possibly, just possibly, I might soon be able to replace the blue and white transferware on my dresser with the creamware. At last week’s Round Top, I found a dealer who had a large inventory of creamware – not the quality of Dan Carither’s or my client’s – but she had plates and that’s what I needed. I quickly picked out three pairs of plates and a few singles. I could barely contain myself driving home, thinking that finally I was going to have a new look in my dining room! And even more exciting was I had not planned on finding any creamware at Round Top – it was fate!

Here’s my dining room with all the creamware – no more blue and white transferware. Yeah!!!! It’s all gone on an extended holiday. While I still have holes to fill in – the Round Top purchases made it possible to finally trade it all out. I need a few pieces for the top of the dresser, and the shelves, and maybe for the top of the dining table itself. But – I’m so excited! I think it really transformed the look of the room and makes it more sophisticated in a way. I would love to update my chairs – with painted ones instead of stained ones, but that’s on hold for awhile, while we wait for Obama’s magic to work on the economy. :) But for now, I am so thrilled just to enjoy the changes I’ve already made.

The day after the change out – my mom Betty Rae and my sister Cathy came over give their approval. I think they really liked it.

A close up of the creamware. I love the little baskets.

I still need something on the top shelf, but after looking on Ebay and Ruby Lane today – I couldn’t find anything. I’ll find it – I’m in no hurrynow. That’s the fun of collecting something – waiting to find the next piece. Even though the internet has completely changed antique collecting forever – it’s still fun. Instead of sloshing through damp fields at 5:00 in the morning, you slosh through the vast world of Google.

I found this beautiful plate for sale online – it’s not a creamware glaze, but a salt glaze which gives it a more matte finish. Isn’t it gorgeous?

An example of an original Wedgewood piece from the 18th century – sure would be nice!

Another original Wedgewood piece of creamware – look at that date! Amazing!

The finest creamware for sale!

Tone on Tone has this gorgeous creamware bowl for sale on their web site here.

Another piece available from Tone on Tone.

So, what else did I buy from Round Top besides the zebra rug for my client? When I saw this picture of a Round Top booth on Hill Country House’s blog (my former sister-in-law) – I laughed out loud. Ann and I swear we are just alike and wish we were still related – what fun we would have antiquing! You see - SHE took this picture of the clock that I bought. I had been wanting something to hang over my new casement window in my kitchen – I had bought a huge faux cow’s head from Wisteria that was, well, too big. And I didn’t want a reproduction clock that you see everywhere. When I saw this French clock – AND the price – I said Sold! I was thrilled!

And here it is hanging in my kitchen the next day! I just love it. Even Mr. Slipper Socks Man noticed it immediately – which is unusual. He really loves it too – and even more unusual, my daughter also commented on it!

A sort of side view – you can see how deep it is. I’m not sure if it works or not – the vendor didn’t know. But that doesn’t matter, at least not now. About an hour after hanging the clock, it came crashing down in a million pieces. Shattered everywhere - beyond repair. I was horrified, but thankfully no one was beheaded. Mr. Slipper Socks Man was furious at me for not hanging it properly. Now, listen, I am an interior designer – I have hung hundreds of objects on the walls over the years and, as I asked him, “has anything in our house ever fallen down before?” He had to concede - No. Of course not. I have no idea what happened – but hammering in the nail was a stretch for me, it was high over my head and I was scared of slipping and falling into the sink – perhaps in a hurry to get it all over with I didn’t hammer the nail in hard enough? Probably. Lesson learned. But it did look good for an hour.

So, now, instead of my gorgeous French antique clock that probably didn’t even work, I have this fake tole clock that used to be red, but I painted it black and gold. Whoo-wee! Isn’t it purdy???!!!!! I am a DOOFUS. Say it loud, say it proud.

Ann: Let me know if you find another clock like the one I bought at Round Top. Go ahead and buy it for me, I trust your taste!

Charlotte Moss is on the hot seat this week at The Skirted Roundtable – not to be missed, if I do say so myself. Listen HERE!!!! She is one fabulous woman!

An excellent article on collecting and the history of creamware is found HERE.

Another excellent article on the proper way to hang a clock is found HERE.

82 comments
:

* Oh JONI, I was having sooooo much FUN seeing all the beautiful "things" & reading about it all~~~ just had a BALL, and it was soooo EXCITING, too.....

Thennnn, to learn about your clock just broke my heart! KNOW you were SOOOO PLEASED w/ that UBER PRETTY PIECE, & had waited SOOO LONG to find it... "MY most SINCERE CONDOLENCES on its PASSING at this TIME" (Baaaad pun I know, but I DO sincerely "feel your pain", girlfriend!)...

Hi Joni. I so love your yellow walls...with either set of dishes, but nothing is more exciting than switching things out...gets your creative juices going. I love the textural detail of the creamware...unified by color but endlessly variable. I'd tell you to get a nice 18th century piece but after the clock story I'm a bit worried about you! Great job...you must be exhausted. Thanks for a fun story, Trish

YOU SLAYYYY me..i cant believe about the clock..you couldnt make this stuff up..such a shame..IT LOOKED SO FAB..your kitchen is WONDERFUL..but it does make for good blogging huh???

i am all over the Carol Glasser blue and white photos..it made me register for wedgewood romantic england for my wedding dishes 10 years ago... ihave all of mine (new wedgewood and cracked blue and white i bought in england when i went in grad school) all piled on top of my big pine armoire..similar look.i still like it but i do have white plates grouped other place.not the delicate creamware though.not in this house of boys! but it looks great...

so sorry about your clock!

i did not realize you were formerly related to Hill Country HOuse blog.love her blog.

Oh Joni, that creamware is gorgeous - That salt glazed plate is beyond words, I hope that you get it! Your dining room looks fabulous with all the creamware.Big fat bummer about the clock - I'm glad that no one was standing at the sink when it fell!! Another piece of perfection will show up, they always do in their own time.I have to say, after seeing that photo, I want to be Charlotte Moss when I grow up, and I want her car. Now. (swoon)xo Isa

Oh no, I can't belive the clock fell down! The same thing happened to my antique peruvian sunburst. I was completely horrified, but for some strange reason it wasn't ruined beyond repair (Which is amazing, as it first fell on the credenza, and then down on the floor. In the middle of the night of course, I thought I was having a heart attack!)

I forgot to tell you - I was walking my dog last week, and of course slowed down while walking past Dan Carrithers' house, always trying to get a peek into the house (although I did go in the house a few years ago for a fundraiser tour of homes, and it is charming - the creamware looks beautiful in his front hall and living room). Anyway, Dan came out the back door in his track suit, presumably on his way to exercise! I thought of you.

Funny that we both posted pictures of your client's barometer yesterday! I have been saving images for my post ever since I did my clock post in February.

I enjoyed this post, and was sorry to read about the clock falling off its nail!

So sad about the clock!!! I'm feeling your pain - I've lost one of a pair of sconces that is supposed to be hung in my new powder room today and I'm afraid it has gotten tossed out in the craziness around here. I paid a fortune for them and then another good bit to have them electrified. My husband is furious!!!

The creanware is beautiful but the blue and white is to die for. I don't think I will ever tire of it. Can't wait to listen to The Skirted Roundtable later today with your special guest. Two of my favorites-Charlotte and Joni- talking to me in my office. I'm saving this for later this afternoon.

Hi Joni,I am new to the blog world, love yours and check in with you first thing in the morning. I love, love, love your style and OH THOSE SCONCES in your dining room. Would you reveal your source? Debbie from New Jersey

I learn so much from you! I didn't know anything about creamware, ironstone or transferware, but I really like the pieces you've collected! My favorite picture of Carol Glasser's beautiful Welsh cupboard is the first one. The ones with the darker colors look too cluttered to me.

I am just SICK about your beautiful clock! I did not see that coming (of course, neither did you). I hope you can find another one that similarly lovely soon.

I am a big fan of your new creamware, think it looks great in your china cabinet/hutch! I don't have creamware, but white Vietri Incanto that is in my dining room hutch. Who can get tired of white and cream, will go with everything!!

Joni,The creamware looks beautiful!I too have my eye on creamware these days as well. I have those same Dan Carither's photos in a file as inspiration. I am wanting pieces for my living and dining room, but I first have to finalize the furniture selections!

I first noticed creamware or Queensware inspired by Mr. Carithers as well, it was an HGTV interview where he spoke of purchasing his "antique farm table to take the creamware". Truly an elegant Southern Gentleman. Your new collection is stunning. I think the creamware changed your focal point to the breath taking chandelier. Your dining room was lovely before, I think I prefer the room today. Understated elegance. Deepest Sympathy on the clock -

An amazing post......it is so wonderful when things just appear in our lives and they are meant to be there. The new creamware is perfect. It changes the entire look of your dining room. Sorry about the clock. I guess some things are not meant to be in our lives. Thanks so much for the creamware tutorial.

Joni.Sorry about your loss. Ugh...it was gorgeous....but I must say, the record of nothing falling off the walls till this point is something to be very proud of. Love, love, love the creamware in your space! It looks amazing and created a lovely transformation. I think I bought my 1st piece of creamware when I was 20 years old (lets not go into "exactly" how long ago that was) and I can tell you first hand, it's something that you never grow tired of. Enjoy it, and good luck on your treasure hunt for more fabulous pieces. xo

You are going to start a creamware craze among your following with this delicious post! Love the new dining room look! Sincere condolences about the clock. Excited about the interview with Charlotte Moss ... how chic is that!

Hi Joni! I'm crying for you about the precious clock. Poor poor Joni. But your creamware is so gorgoues! I love it in your hutch. You've some really pretty pieces. Now you know I love looking at your gorgeous kitchen. Honey, go buy you a milkshake, it will make you feel better. I promise! :)Be a sweetie,Shelia ;)

as i have been wanting to retire my Blue and white, I was dying to know what you were going to do. If you had not posted this today, I think I might have had to track you down!! I would love to have a collection like yours, but don't. yours looks GORGEOUS!!

ps...you remind me of charlotte moss!!

great post, and thanks for the history link!!(am late to class, so gotta run)!Kathy

Your creamware collection is gorgeous Joni! I'm so sorry about your new clock and I'm sure you'll find a replacement. I just can't get over how amazing your kitchen is, just LOVE it. I just did a post yesterday on ironstone dairy slabs and included yours from the remodel unveiling earlier this year.

JoniSo sorry about the clock! Enjoyed your post as always! I adore your kitchen. My son and wife are redoing their kitchen. I sent them a picture of yours for inspiration. I hope you don't mind! Would you mind me asking the color of your cabinets and the manufacturer of your sink?

Congratulations on the new creamware. It is beautiful. Although mine is not creamware, thanks to your Tanglewood home I hung some creamy white plates over my stove for that soothing gentle look you were describing in this post. I love it and wouldn't have thought of it were it not for the dining room in Tanglewood.

I was so enjoying this post until the death of the clock occurred. I actually "gasped" while reading. I am so sorry. I hope Ann finds you another.

Oh my gosh - I'm dyin' here!! That is so interesting that we bought from the same dealer. You have inspired me to post on what I got from that booth. I am so, so sorry about your clock. It was beautiful and looked so good in your amazing kitchen.Wanna hear a funny story, though, that is so similar - wait, I will save it for my post and link back to yours. Oh Joni - too weird. Love your cream ware collection!

Ah, Joni, you know I'm loving the creamware too. Only I had no idea what the difference is between creamware and ironstone. I think I can't afford either one. I'm sure what I'm calling creamware with my white collection is not at all. Oh well, I'll continue to keep going with my collection too.

Yours looks fab on your dark hutch! Happy that you found some extras to add to your collection at Round Top. HOw I would love to scout that place out.

Your adventures are always fun to read. So sorry about that clock, I would have been so bummed too!

Love your new creamware collection! I too had blue & white years ago, but grew tired of it. Now I do white ironstone, and ironically got my start many moons ago at Round Top! I am sooooooooooo sorry about the clock. I was oohhhing and aahhhing about how PERFECT it looked in your kitchen, and loving that it was old, and then to read the crash part made me so sad. I hate to hang, and if you've ever tried to hang anything in plaster walls... it's a nightmare! We always predrill, and if hanging something heavy, use a stud finder!I've loved Carol's work for years- even have that same mag article saved. Wish Veranda would do a spread of her new house.

Joni,Fabulous post, loved how you took us on the whole path through your inspiration, collecting, etc. I had to laugh at the clock episode, that was unfortunate yet hilarious. THANK YOU, thank you for including our picture together on the previous Round Top post. I feel so special and famous :). It was so great meeting you in person and Corey and the rest of the bunch. I'm also very happy to finally be home!Much love,Olga Granda-Scott ~Dancing through Paris

LOVE the cream ware.....What beautiful pieces. Just the right look with your silk drapes and table drape. What a wonderful way to indulge our artistic side.......by acquiring new treasures. SOOOOOOO sad about the clock. It was perfect. Sue

My hand flew to my mouth when I read that it fell. I am so sorry. But, think of the fun in finding another!!

I've been in Dan Carither's amazing house several times. His collections are inspiring to say the least. He influenced me, years ago, to start one of my own, of brown transferware. I sort of moved into the aesthetic style and still have a collection on my living room wall, which I just adore. The creamware is so beautiful!

Joni,Your dining room is very beautiful with the creamware! I really love it! It became more peaceful!And Joni, your chairs are just gorgeous! Maybe you can paint them (DIY!!)than they will look right as the chairs in the dining room in the Castle of Axel Vervoordt! Really Joni, just go for a look to http://www.axel-vervoordt.com. Then choose : Visit Castle, then click on Dining room.....What do you think?

I'm so sad for you! I saw that clock too and loved it! They had some amazing clocks at round top.

I just wanted to say thank you for your advice on where to go and how to approach Round Top. My Mom flew in and we were able to find almost everything I needed to replace damaged items from our nightmare of a move! And I had to laugh because I bought things from two of the booths that you had pictures of in yesterdays photos from Marburger.

I'll have to send you a photograph when I am finished. I went for a lot of the industrial pieces they had there this show. I think it turned out well thanks to you and round top and my amazing Mom!

I love the simplicity and the sophistication of your dining room. I don't collect anything right now but I am very, very tempted to start collecting creamware. I will wait, however, until you finish your collection (do we ever stop collecting once we start?). I don't want to bid against you on eBay! I think you have singlehandedly just increased prices of creamware through this posting.

That clock incident could have happened to me. Your house looks delightful, and you are one brave woman for sharing your ebay secret with us. I anticipate some future competition now on auctions.

I have a totally random question for you---- if you're under a strict budget, and only have $2.500- where would you get a linen slipcovered sofa? I keep stalking Quatrine's showroom, but their samples are way out of my league.

Great post Joni, I love so much about it. John Saldino's room, your client's buffet , the new collection of yours with the little baskets! Don't worry another French clock will come along. You won't believe some of the goof ups I have made!

Oh no Joni, what a bummer! I had a christmas tree fall over one year. I loaded it down with vintage balls and lavender sprigs, grape vine etc etc. Took hours and then in an instant...all gone. I think I cried.

I do like the new look with the white ironstone. Very calm. Another good reason to start a new collection..like I need a new collection!

Your new collection looks FAN-TAS-TIC! Only the truly trained eye would know they are not pricey pieces.On the other hand, I am so, so sad for your clock - I guess her time was up (I know, TERRIBLE pun - Ha!)

Simply gorgeous change to the creamware! Very elegant! And I can see the start of a "run" on creamware thanks to your posting! EBay sales of antique and vintage examples will soar! Just loves Glasser and I do wish that Dan Carrithers would publish a decor book of his designs! Sigh! Sorry about the clock -- gosh -- that incident would have been worth its weight in martinis! LOL! Yes -- you COULD paint the dining chairs -- in a creamy antique white ....

Jan at Rosemary Cottage -- standing by with paint brushes and a pitcher of martinis!

The arrangement 'needs' something. I don't know what. I would try taking down the plates on the wall and putting up two darkish landscape pictures with darkish frames on either side. The wood is dark, the plates are white, the wall looks full where the display is and there is something visually emply about the space on either side. What about monogrammed linen chair covers in white? They are probably too expensive but someting along that line might help to fill in and echo the display. There is always the difference when seeing only the two dementional picture and not being in the room itself.

I love your blog. Every day it is the first thing I go to because you bring so much interest and ability to it. Thank you so much. Ann

oh my gosh- your house is just GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! I'm crazy over the creamware in your hutch & love the contrast in there. And I WANT YOUR KITCHEN. Your counters are so beautiful & thick!!!!! (how many inches?) (and sorry about the clock-eeeek!!!)

Hi -- I've enjoyed browsing your blog. It is absolutely beautiful. I still have lots more to look at.I was wondering if you know of the artist doll world -- they are the high end dolls by world renown artists -- many one-of-a-kinds and very limited editions. If you would like to learn more, I'd love to share my web site with you -- www.childrenoftheheart.net. My contact information is on the site too.